Nesocodon mauritianus — a medium houseplant
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Nesocodon mauritianus

Nesocodon Mauritianus

Updated · 14 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Nesocodon is a monotypic genus of flowering plants within the family Campanulaceae. The sole species is Nesocodon mauritianus, formerly known as Wahlenbergia mauritiana, which is endemic to the island of Mauritius. It was the first plant ever discovered that produces red-colored nectar. It was originally thought to have been pollinated by birds, however, recent investigations have demonstrated that day geckos (Phelsuma ornata) are the preferred pollinator of these flowers whereas birds functioned as nectar thieves. The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) robs it of its nectar.It is closely related to Heterochaenia from the Mascarene Islands, but has single flowers rather than panicles of several.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Genus
Nesocodon
Family
Campanulaceae
PLATES
Nesocodon mauritianus leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Nesocodon mauritianus leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Nesocodon mauritianus flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Nesocodon mauritianus flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Nesocodon mauritianus habit
PLATE 05 · habit
Nesocodon mauritianus habit
PLATE 06 · habit